Mau Dev

Usage examples

• Koj yog ib tug mau dev tiag tiag.
  You really are a total bitch.

Etymology

Composed of two Hmong elements: "dev" (dog), cognate with related Southeast Asian terms for the canine, and "mau" (female/mother prefix used colloquially), giving the compound a literal sense of "female dog." The semantic extension to a human insult parallels the English "bitch" and is common across many unrelated languages.

Cultural notes

In Hmong communities, calling someone a "mau dev" (female dog) is a serious insult carrying strong social consequences, particularly when directed at women. It is used in confrontational contexts and is generally avoided in formal or family-oriented settings. The term's directness and animal reference compound its offensiveness in Hmong cultural norms, where respect and face-saving are highly valued.

Same meaning, other languages

Accuracy

83% of 23 voters say this translation is accurate.